About Chesham Grammar School
Chesham Grammar School (CGS) is a co-educational grammar school in the heart of Chesham, Buckinghamshire, admitting 210 pupils per year. It is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium and uses the shared Secondary Transfer Test (STT) produced by GL Assessment for Year 7 entry.
Chesham Grammar School provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 66.9%. A-Level A*–B: 85.7%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Chesham Grammar School
Chesham Grammar School is a co-educational state grammar school in England that selects pupils through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (a shared 11+ set using GL Assessment papers) for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 210 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Bucks test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in Thursday 11 September 2026 and results are released to parents on mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Chesham Grammar School is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (210 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Chesham Grammar School
Chesham Grammar School Admissions Criteria
Chesham Grammar School (CGS) is a co-educational grammar school in the heart of Chesham, Buckinghamshire, admitting 210 pupils per year. It is part of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) Consortium and uses the shared Secondary Transfer Test (STT) produced by GL Assessment for Year 7 entry.
- ✓Children attending Buckinghamshire state primary schools are automatically registered for the STT.
- ✓Children at other schools must register via Buckinghamshire Council (opens 1st May, closes 2nd June 2026).
- ✓Sit the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test: two ~60-minute multiple-choice papers (Verbal Skills and Non-Verbal/Maths Skills).
- ✓Achieve a qualifying standardised score of 121 or above.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children within the CGS catchment area (highest priority).
- ✓Children achieving the qualifying score who live within the Chesham Grammar School catchment area (Chesham town and surrounding villages).
- ✓Siblings of current pupils at Chesham Grammar School.
- ✓Children of CGS staff employed permanently for 2+ years.
- ✓All other qualifying children, ranked by distance from the school.
Chesham Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 210 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Chesham Grammar School)
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Chesham Grammar School 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 via Bucks 11+ portal |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | Thursday 11 September 2026 (Familiarisation: 7 Sept; Main test: Verbal + Non-Verbal + Maths) |
| 📌 Test results released | mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Chesham Grammar School via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Bucks) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026. There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Chesham Grammar School
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in Thursday 11 September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Chesham Grammar School as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Chesham Grammar School's waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Chesham Grammar School
Chesham Grammar School selects through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT), produced by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire Council. It is two multiple-choice papers of about 60 minutes each (including practice time), taken on the same day, with age-standardised scoring and a qualifying standard of around 121.
- English & verbal reasoning: comprehension, technical English and verbal logic.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning: shapes, sequences and spatial patterns.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 numeracy and problem-solving.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Chesham Grammar School
Chesham Grammar School uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Chesham Grammar School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Chesham Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Chesham Grammar School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and achieves excellent results: in a recent year around 75% of GCSE grades were 9–7, with over half graded 9–8 and a 9–5 pass rate of about 98%. Results continue to be strong at A-Level, with students progressing to a wide range of leading universities.
- GCSE: around 75% of grades 9–7 in a recent year.
- Sixth form: a large co-educational sixth form with strong outcomes.
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Chesham Grammar School
Admission to Year 7 is through the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test (STT) — produced by GL Assessment and administered by Buckinghamshire Council on behalf of The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium of 13 schools. The STT is two papers of about 60 minutes each (including practice time), taken on the same day with a short break: one covering comprehension, technical English and verbal reasoning; the other non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning and mathematics. Scoring is age-standardised, with a qualifying standard of typically 121 or above; children at Buckinghamshire primaries are registered automatically, while families elsewhere register separately.
The school uses a designated catchment area: after looked-after children, a number of places are allocated to qualified children living in catchment, alongside staff children and siblings, with remaining places offered in distance order. Always confirm the current catchment map and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Chesham Grammar School is a co-educational grammar of over 1,300 pupils on White Hill in Chesham, Buckinghamshire (HP5 1BA). Founded in 1947 and now a member of the Red Kite Schools Trust, it carries the motto 'Be inspired' and places a strong emphasis on character education alongside academic excellence.
Beyond the classroom, Chesham has a strong record in sport (notably hockey, rugby and athletics), a lively programme of productions and concerts, high participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (with many Gold Awards) and recognition for its work on environmental sustainability. For the full list of clubs and teams, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chesham Grammar School
How do I apply to Chesham Grammar School for Year 7?
Applications to Chesham Grammar School are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026), then list Chesham Grammar School on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Chesham Grammar School use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Chesham Grammar School uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in Thursday 11 September 2026 (Familiarisation: 7 Sept; Main test: Verbal + Non-Verbal + Maths). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Chesham Grammar School?
Chesham Grammar School sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 210 places.
How many Year 7 places does Chesham Grammar School have?
Chesham Grammar School admits 210 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Chesham Grammar School in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Chesham Grammar School's waiting list.
Is Chesham Grammar School a state school or fee-paying?
Chesham Grammar School is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Chesham Grammar School 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Chesham Grammar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Chesham Grammar School 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.